Adaptive finite element buckling analysis of folded plate structures

In this study, the finite element linear buckling analysis of folded plate structures using adaptive h-refinement methods is presented. The variable-node flat shell element used in this study possesses a drilling D.O.F. which, in addition to improvement of the element behavior, permits an easy connection to other elements with six degrees of freedom per node (CLS element, Choi and Lee 1996). Accordingly, the folded plate structures, for which it is hard to find the analytical solutions, can be analyzed with a relative ease using the developed flat shell elements. Using the adaptive h-refinement procedure, the convergent buckling modes and the critical loads of these modes can be obtained by the buckling analyses of those structures.